Sarah Baumgartel is an experienced trial and appellate lawyer whose career has focused on public service. As the firm’s Pro Bono Attorney, she helps oversee Debevoise’s award-winning pro bono program. She collaborates with lawyers across the firm, as well as legal services organizations and community partners, on a wide range of pro bono matters.
Before joining Debevoise, Sarah served in the trial and appellate divisions of the Federal Defenders of New York, representing individuals charged with crimes who could not afford to hire a lawyer. During her time at the Federal Defenders, she represented hundreds of clients at all stages of their cases, conducted a dozen federal jury trials, and briefed and argued appeals before the Second Circuit, D.C. Circuit, and Supreme Court. She has taught as a Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School and as a Senior Liman Fellow in Residence at Yale Law. She clerked for the Hon. Bruce W. Kauffman on the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and graduated from Harvard Law School, cum laude, and Duke University, magna cum laude.